All Blacks v Japan result, Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
All Blacks 64 Japan 19 Northern Tour, Yokohama
The All Blacks have opened their Northern Tour with a 64-19 victory over Japan following an impressive first half blitz where they scored seven tries. The second half effort was a bit messy with Ruben Love scoring a double late on his test debut.
Patrick Tuipulotu
Cameron McMillan
"It was quite tough. We started quite rough, didn't get our set piece right and let them in with an early try. Managed to get some retention with the ball so as long we held the ball we were able to get good possession and end up with some tries.
"We probably just got a bit tighter, we let them in around our ruck. Once we shored that up we got to get some good tackles and they obviously carry low so we had to get lower than them. Managed some good drop tackles and our second guy coming in. Managed to slow it down and get our line set."
To work on for rest of tour
"Just consistency in our set piece. We left a lot of lineouts out there. Something we want to pride ourselves on is having top quality ball off out lineout especially so that our backs can get some go forward Our scrum, that will be a work-on for us as well especially against the European teams who love set piece."
Fulltime - All Blacks 62 Japan 19
Cameron McMillan
80th min - All Blacks try - Ruben Love
Cameron McMillan
And Love finishes with a second right on fulltime.
Cameron McMillan
Another break for the All Blacks. Sititi puts Perenara into space but it drops the ball.
Cameron McMillan
90 seconds left.
78th min - All Blacks try - Ruben Love
Cameron McMillan
And a try on debut for Love. You love to see it!
McKenzie kicks another from wide. All Blacks 57 Japan 19
77th min - All Blacks chance to end with a try
Cameron McMillan
McKenzie chips into the in goal for Samipeni Finau to chase but his tired legs say no and it goes out. Penalty advantage and the ABs kick to the corner.
75th min - Japan back on attack
Cameron McMillan
Can they get a fourth? Nope they spill the ball and the All Blacks get a chance to clear.
Seven minutes to go.
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks first half: 43
All Blacks second half: 7
Black Caps strike again
Cameron McMillan
Rishabh Pant run out! India still need 231. Six wickets left
69th min - Japan try - Opeti Helu
Cameron McMillan
The reserve prop is in and Japan have a third try. He had some work to do. All Blacks 50 Japan 19
67th minute - All Blacks attacking line out
Cameron McMillan
Japan win it though and they break away up the right through Yoshitaka Yazaki. But he's tackled just short of the line and turns the ball over. The All Blacks clear. Great trysaver by McKenzie.
Black Caps v India update
Cameron McMillan
India lose another. And it's the big one. No not Kohli but Yashasvi Jaiswal who had smashed 77 from 65 balls.
India need 232 to win. NZ need seven wickets for the series win.
62nd min - All Blacks getting sloppy
Cameron McMillan
Looks a bit disjointed out there. Quite a few changes to the side. McKenzie drops the ball cold and it's a Japan scrum on All Blacks 35m.
60th min - Japan penalty
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks pinged again. Just one try in the first 20 minutes of the second half...but remember it's the final 20 that matters under Scott Robertson. Good chance here to boost those final quarter stats.
59th min - Japan penalty
Cameron McMillan
Sititi lucky to stay on the field after pushing over a Japanese player who he thought was shepherding.
David Havili and Ruben Love are on. Love makes his debut.
57th min - Japan still with the ball
Cameron McMillan
An extended play of possession here for Japan and another linebreak for Dearns. He gets to within 10 metres but Japan turn over. And then the All Blacks give the ball straight back.
56th min - Japan denied
Cameron McMillan
Japan close to scoring again. Jone Naikabula down the righthand side but McKenzie brings him down. And then the All Blacks turn the ball over.
54th min - Japan penalty
Cameron McMillan
Another penalty to the hosts and they kick for touch. Attacking chance inside the All Blacks 22 but they turn over. Proctor clears up field. Japan lineout on All Blacks 35m
Cameron McMillan
That should just leave David Havili and Ruben Love remaining on the bench.
Plenty of changes for the All Blacks
Cameron McMillan
On come
George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai and TJ Perenara.
51st min - All Blacks hunt for another
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks throw the ball around in there own 22 before eventually Stephen Perofeta clears. ABs then turn the ball over quickly and are on attack deep inside Japan's half.
But McKenzie chips ahead but the ball goes through the touch line.
Cameron McMillan
Peter Lakai warming up. Set to make his test debut along with a few other changes. Expect George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell on soon as well.
Cameron McMillan
But Japan lose the ball just 6m short of the line.
47th min - Japan now with an attacking chance
Cameron McMillan
Japan get a penalty as McKenzie is caught on the wrong side of the ruck. They tap and go. And another penalty. Harumichi Tatekawa kicks for the corner.
Black Caps v India update
Cameron McMillan
Virat Kohli is out there as India are two down. They need 263 runs.
44th min - All Blacks try - Cam Roigard
Cameron McMillan
Asafo Aumua puts Roigard into space and he shrugs off the tackler and dives over. McKenzie coverts from in front. That's the 50. All Blacks 50 Japan 12
44th min - All Blacks on attack again
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks lineout on own 40 and they win a penalty. Their fifth of the test. McKenzie kicks ahead for touch and the ABs begin again with an attacking lineout.
42nd min - Japan not going anywhere
Cameron McMillan
A decent 90 seconds of action where Japan make no gains and they eventually kick ahead into touch. That was 16 phases and the All Blacks defended well.
Second half begins
Cameron McMillan
Japan kick off and Sam Cane wins the ball on his own 30. Roigard kicks up field and Japan hold possession on halfway.
Cameron McMillan
First half stats
Cameron McMillan
Possession
All Blacks 63% Japan 34%
Defenders beaten
All Blacks 18 Japan 7
Clean breaks
All Blacks 9 Japan 3
Offloads
All Blacks 13 Japan 4
Turnovers conceded
All Blacks 6 Japan 11
Rucks won
All Blacks 41 Japan 28
Penalties conceded
All Blacks 1 Japan 2
Halftime - All Blacks 43 Japan 12
Cameron McMillan
That will do it. A lot went on in that try. By my count nine tries, seven to the men in black.
Japan opened the scoring and then after the All Blacks got tries to Tele'a and Tuipulotu, the hosts hit back with Makisi.
Turning point was the TMO denying a third try for Japan when Dearns looked to score a stunner. Since then the All Blacks crossed over five times.
40th min - All Blacks try - Tamaiti Williams
Cameron McMillan
And another prop is in. Rolling maul off the lineout. Asafo Aumua has the ball at the back but eventually Williams gets it from him and scores. McKenzie converts. All Blacks 43-12
39th min - All Blacks penalty
Cameron McMillan
McKenzie kicks to the corner. All Blacks look for another just before the break.
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks have beaten 16 tackles, or Japan have missed 16.
38th min - All Blacks could have been in again
Cameron McMillan
The All Blacks almost have another but the ball is spilled just short of the line. Japan scrum on own 5m line, near the righthand touch.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
Five minutes left.
34th min - All Blacks try - Pasilio Tosi
Cameron McMillan
Great run by Aumua. And then Darry sets up Pasilio Tosi close to the line. He dives over. No one stopping him from close range.
McKenzie kicks the conversion.
All Blacks 36 Japan 12
33rd min - All Blacks penalty
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks are over the ball and get the penalty. It was the skipper. All Blacks kick up field and win the lineout. Back on attack here.
Cameron McMillan
Just under 10 minutes in the half and we've had nine tries. Crazy half of rugby. Can Japan hit back before the break. They have the ball inside the All Blacks 30.
30th min - All Blacks try - Samipeni Finau
Cameron McMillan
And they do eventually score. The All Blacks spread wide. The Japanese are falling off tackles now. Samipeni Finau is left out wide and scores. McKenzie misses again from the same spot.
All Blacks 29 Japan 12. Seven tries to two.
30th min - All Blacks penalty
Cameron McMillan
Almost another try. Proctor tackled just short of the line. They tap and go.
28th min - All Blacks clear
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks inside own half. Roigard looks to clear but his charged down into touch. Lineout on own 22m.
25th min - All Blacks try - Sam Cane
Cameron McMillan
And the All Blacks are in again. Sam Cane picks up the scraps. Tele'a getting pushed into touch passes back in field and Cane is there to score. McKenzie misses another conversion.
All Blacks 24 Japan 12
22nd min - All Blacks try - Billy Proctor
Cameron McMillan
And just like that. From what looked like a Japan try at one end, is denied and the All Blacks score down the other. Billy Proctor puts Reece into space who passes back infield and Proctor runs clear to score on the right.
McKenzie misses from wide. All Blacks 19 Japan 12
20th min: Japan try denied
Cameron McMillan
Wow. Damian McKenzie is smashed. Warner Dearns kicks ahead the loose ball and chases the ball down to score. TMO checking...
No try. Knock on off Japan from the tackle on McKenzie.
All Blacks scrum on halfway.
18th min - Japan try - Faulua Makisi
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks don't contest the lineout and Japan go back to the blind and Faulua Makisi dives over untouched. The conversion is missed. All Blacks 14 Japan 12
18th min - Japan penalty
Cameron McMillan
They kick for touch when the three was on.
15th min - All Blacks try - Patrick Tuipulotu
Cameron McMillan
The captain was hanging out of the wing. The old Sean Fitzpatrick tactic. And he scores the go ahead try. He received the ball 15 metres shy of the line and took on three tacklers before diving over. Great effort. McKenzie converts out wide.
All Blacks 14 Japan 7
Cameron McMillan
Rogiard now goes close to the line.
13th min - All Blacks lineout
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks have a lineout just inside own half. Sititi with a line break. McKenize kicks the ball away but it's knocked into touch. All Blacks now with another lineout inside the 22.
12th min - All Blacks try - Mark Tele'a
Cameron McMillan
Wallace Sititi steals the ball. The All Blacks goes wide and Mark Tele'a is in in the lefthand corner. McKenzie converts.
All Blacks 7 Japan 7
Cameron McMillan
Nissan Stadium turf already losing some tread. All Blacks continue to attack but the play ends with Billy Proctor as the last pass out wide goes into touch off Reece.
9th min - All Blacks back on attack
Cameron McMillan
Japan scrum inside their own 10. They eventually clear through halfback Shinobu Fujiwara. All Blacks attacking lineout 25m.
7th min - All Blacks attacking chance turns to nothing
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks have the first chance with a scrum inside Japan's 22m. But they knock it on. Went left to Stephen Perofeta. He looked to find a pass to Tele'a but lost the ball in the process. If he freed his hands it could have been a try. Risky play though.
5th min - Japan try - Jone Naikabula
Cameron McMillan
Jone Naikabula runs 40 metres and opens the scoring. Wow. What a start for Japan. Jone Naikabula hit a gap and beat the tackles of McKenzie and Stephen Perofeta.
Harumichi Tatekawa converts. 7-0 Japan
Cameron McMillan
Lineout win for Dearns and Japan on attack early. A chip kick over the top is caught for fair catch by the All Blacks and they clear.
3rd min - Japan attack early
Cameron McMillan
Japan go wide and attack at pace down the wing. Mark Tele'a jumps up to attempt an intercept. He gets a touch but the ball goes to the hands of fullback Yoshitaka Yazaki. Big lock Sanaila Waqa attacks down the wing but loses the ball. Scrum All Blacks inside own 22m. From the scrum Roigard clears but out on the full. Japan lineout on 22m.
1st min - Early mistake by All Blacks
Cameron McMillan
Japan have early possession and after a few rucks eventually kick for tough through their skipper Harumichi Tatekawa. Early lineout for the All Blacks on the 40m line. But the opening throw by Asafo Aumua is not straight. Scrum Japan.
Cameron McMillan
TJ Perenara leads Ka Mate
National anthems time
Cameron McMillan
Good effort by all the players. Now the haka.
The man in charge
Cameron McMillan
Aussie Jordan Way is the referee for today's game. The All Blacks will know him well as he's been in charge of Super Rugby games since 2022.
Big crowd
Cameron McMillan
More than 60,000 at Nissan Stadium today. Princess Akiko shakes hands with the players.
Here come the teams
Cameron McMillan
Patrick Tuipulotu leads the All Blacks and Harumichi Tatekawa in front of his Japan side.
They have to take a few steps up to get into the field and even the red carpet is rolled out at Nissan Stadium.
Black Caps update
Cameron McMillan
Nine to go. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma departs. India need 325.
Cameron McMillan
Brendon Leonard?
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
Can confirm Cam Roigard will not be allowed to wear the headphones during the test.
Black Caps update
Cameron McMillan
India are chasing 358 to level the series after the Black Caps were bowled out for 255 in the second innings. And they've started with a six and four in the first over.
The All Blacks side today
Cameron McMillan
Scott Robertson named a strong side to face Japan today.
While a weakened side was expected, and an advance group sent to Europe to prepare to face England at Twickenham at the start of November, Robertson has still been able to call on some of his first-team regulars.
Patrick Tuipulotu will captain Aotearoa for the first time, while Damian McKenzie is back at No 10 after being relegated to the bench for the Rugby Championship-ender against Australia in Wellington.
Sam Cane and Wallace Sititi retain their starting spots, albeit with the latter shifting from No 6 to the back of the scrum, as Samipeni Finau completes the loose forward trio.
In the backs, Cam Roigard will make his first test start of 2024, after suffering a ruptured patella tendon in Super Rugby Pacific for the Hurricanes. Likewise, Stephen Perofeta is back in the No 15 jersey, after battling calf issues during the Rugby Championship.
In midfield, Billy Proctor makes his second test start since his debut against Fiji in San Diego earlier this year, and partners Anton Lienert-Brown. On the wings, Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece both have the chance to prove themselves as starters, after Caleb Clarke has established himself as a guaranteed selection in the No 11 jersey.
On the bench, the Wellington pair of Peter Lakai and Ruben Love will both make their debuts, named for their maiden test caps if and when called on.
All Blacks v Japan - The Northern Tour begins
Cameron McMillan
Game one of the Northern Tour as the All Blacks kick it off on Japan.
The All Blacks first faced Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, producing their highest-ever score in a 145-17 thrashing in Bloemfontein. Marc Ellis scored a record six tries and Simon Culhane kicked 20 conversions.
The sides didn't meet again for another 16 years, in another World Cup pool match in Hamilton. Since then the All Blacks have started a Northern Tour three times (2013, 2018, 2022) with a stop-off in Tokyo to face Japan.
Two years ago Japan got as close as they’ve come to upsetting the All Blacks, losing 38-31. The Brave Blossoms were a try away from a stunning upset in the final moments, after Brodie Retallick had been sent off for a dangerous cleanout with 15 minutes to play.
All Blacks v Japan history
Played - 5
All Blacks won - 5
All Blacks points scored - 389
Japan points scored - 92
Biggest margin - 1995 All Blacks 145-17
Smallest margin - 2022 All Blacks 38-31
The All Blacks first faced Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, producing their highest-ever score in a 145-17 thrashing in Bloemfontein. Marc Ellis scored a record six tries and Simon Culhane kicked 20 conversions. The sides did meet again for another 16 years, in another World Cup pool match in Hamilton. Since then the All Blacks have started a Northern Tour three times (2013, 2018, 2022) with a stop-off in Tokyo to face Japan. Two years ago Japan got as close as they’ve come to upsetting the All Blacks, losing 38-31. The Brave Blossoms were a try away from a stunning upset in the final moments, after Brodie Retallick had been sent off for a dangerous cleanout with 15 minutes to play.
All Blacks v Japan line-ups
All Blacks: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Sam Darry 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love
Japan: 1 Takato Okabe, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 4 Sanaila Waqa, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Amato Fakatava, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 8 Faulua Makisi, 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa (c), 11 Maio Tuitama, 12 Nicholas McCurran, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Joe Naikabula, 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki.
Reserves: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Takayoshi Mohara, 18 Opeti Helu, 19 Epineri Uluiviti, 20 Kanji Shimokawa, 21 Taiki Koyama, 22 Tomoki Osada, 23 Takuro Matsunaga.
All Blacks v Japan form guide (last five tests)
All Blacks: W, W, L, L, W
Japan: L, W, W, W, L
All Blacks v Japan referee
Australian Jordan Way will referee the test between the All Blacks and Japan. It will be his first test in charge of the All Blacks but won’t be a new face to the players having been a Super Rugby referee since 2020. He has been referee for a Japan test previously, a 34-15 win over Uruguay in 2022.
All Blacks v Japan TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.01 Draw: $51 Japan: $13
All Blacks v Japan - how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v Japan, join Elliott Smith and Gregor Paul on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.